Differences in evolution of children with non-severe acute lower respiratory tract infection with and without

Related Experiment Video

Updated: May 27, 2026

Protocol and Guidelines for Point-of-Care Lung Ultrasound in Diagnosing Neonatal Pulmonary Diseases Based on International Expert Consensus
06:15

Protocol and Guidelines for Point-of-Care Lung Ultrasound in Diagnosing Neonatal Pulmonary Diseases Based on International Expert Consensus

Published on: March 6, 2019

M-S H Fontoura1, A R Matutino, C C Silva

  • 1Department of Pediatrics, Federal University of Bahia School of Medicine, Salvador, Brazil.

Indian Pediatrics
|November 15, 2011
PubMed

Insights

Persistent fever or tachypnea in children with non-severe lower respiratory tract infections by day two of amoxicillin treatment can predict pneumonia. This finding aids in diagnosing pneumonia in young children.

Area of Science:

  • Pediatrics
  • Infectious Diseases
  • Radiology

Background:

  • Acute lower respiratory tract infections (ALRTI) are common in children.
  • Differentiating between pneumonia and other ALRTIs can be challenging.
  • Radiographic confirmation (Chest X-ray) is crucial for diagnosing pneumonia.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To compare the clinical evolution of children with non-severe ALRTI.
  • To identify predictors of radiographically diagnosed pneumonia in this cohort.

Main Methods:

  • Prospective cohort study of 382 children aged 2-59 months with non-severe ALRTI.
  • Children received amoxicillin and were followed for clinical changes.
  • Chest X-rays were interpreted by independent pediatric radiologists to diagnose pneumonia.

Main Results:

  • Pneumonia was radiographically diagnosed in 52% of the children.
  • Factors independently associated with pneumonia included age, longer disease duration, reduced pulmonary expansion, absence of wheezing, crackles, inability to drink, consolidation on percussion, tachypnea, and fever.
  • Persistence of tachypnea (71.0%) and fever (81.1%) on day 2 of treatment showed the highest predictive value for pneumonia.

Conclusions:

  • Persistent fever or tachypnea on the second day of amoxicillin treatment is a significant predictor of radiographically confirmed pneumonia.
  • These clinical signs can aid in the early identification of pneumonia in children with non-severe ALRTI.
Abstract

Related Concept Videos

Pneumonia I: Introduction01:29

Pneumonia I: Introduction

Pneumonia is an infection of the lower respiratory tract that leads to inflammation of the lung parenchyma, often resulting in the accumulation of inflammatory exudate in the alveoli and airways. Unlike the watery, low-protein fluid exudate in pulmonary edema, the exudate in this case is a thick fluid rich in immune cells, proteins, and debris produced during infection and inflammation.This impairs gas exchange and can lead to consolidation of lung tissue. The infection may be caused by a...
Pneumonia I: Introduction01:30

Pneumonia I: Introduction

Pneumonia is an acute respiratory infection that targets the lungs, specifically the alveoli. These tiny air sacs, essential for oxygen exchange, become engorged with pus and fluid, severely hindering breathing, decreasing oxygen absorption, and causing significant pain and discomfort during respiration.
Risk Factors
Various factors influence the likelihood of developing pneumonia. Age plays a crucial role, with infants, children under two, and individuals over 65 at increased risk due to their...
Pneumonia III: Complications and Assessment01:30

Pneumonia III: Complications and Assessment

Pneumonia poses the potential for numerous complications that warrant consideration. These complications include the following:
Pneumonia II: Pathophysiology01:29

Pneumonia II: Pathophysiology

The pathophysiology of pneumonia involves the following steps:
Atypical Pneumonia01:14

Atypical Pneumonia

Atypical pneumonia, often caused by Mycoplasma pneumoniae, is a form of pulmonary infection that differs from the classical presentation of bacterial pneumonia in both its cause and clinical symptoms. Mycoplasma pneumoniae is a pleomorphic bacterium notable for its lack of a rigid cell wall. This structural characteristic imparts resistance to beta-lactam antibiotics and significantly influences the bacterium’s behavior within the human host.Other pathogens responsible for the disease include...
Pneumonia IV: Management01:28

Pneumonia IV: Management

The treatment of pneumonia varies based on its severity and the causative pathogen. Here is a structured approach to managing pneumonia, integrating pharmaceutical and supportive care strategies.
Bacterial Pneumonia Treatment
For bacterial pneumonia, antibiotics serve as the cornerstone of therapy. Initial treatment often begins with empirical antibiotics, tailored to the anticipated causative organism and adjusted based on culture results. Key antibiotic choices include: